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Prosecutor Dick Binstead described how the victim began getting abusive calls on June 19 last year. Over four days, he was getting about 20 such calls a day.

In one, the caller told him: “Give me £500 or I will kill you.” In other calls, Hodson uttered racist insults. The calls sometimes lasted for up to 20 minutes, and at other times for just a few seconds.

Police traced the calls to Hodson’s mobile phone. They found him living in a property which offers support to people with learning difficulties.

When questioned, Hodson said that he had made the threats “for a laugh” but that he had no intention of carrying out his threats.

He went on to say that he was not racist, liked the food from the shop, and that he was sorry for his conduct.

Judge Hughes made a guardianship order which he said would ensure Hodson would get the support the needed from the county council’s social services department.